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Ted Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans
2. The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”
3. How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence
4. What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms
5. Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate
[00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete
[00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect
[00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking
[00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding
[00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed
[00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement
[00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context
[00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes
[00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Steve Tapp is the CEO of ACT, a leading nonprofit assessment organization best known for the ACT college admissions test. With over 30 years of experience in assessments across education, professional certification, and workforce testing, he previously led PSI Services and Lifelong Learner Holdings, helping scale global assessment platforms.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. How AI is transforming the assessment lifecycle—from test creation to scoring.
2. Why fairness, validity, and human oversight still matter in AI-powered testing.
3. How ACT is expanding beyond college admissions into career readiness.
4. The potential of adaptive and personalized assessments.
5. Why bridging academic testing and workforce skills is the future of assessment.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] Steve Tapp on his 30-year career in assessments and joining ACT as CEO.
[00:03:00] AI as a “force multiplier” across the testing lifecycle.
[00:07:27] The opportunity for adaptive and personalized assessments.
[00:10:28] ACT’s broader mission beyond the college admissions test.
[00:15:46] The growing importance of measuring workforce-ready skills.
[00:18:30] How ACT’s WorkKeys connects education to real-world jobs.
[00:22:45] Tapp’s vision for the future of ACT in the AI era.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Send us Fan Mail

Chase Rigby is the CEO of Tassel, a platform modernizing graduation experiences for universities worldwide. A former Google PM and Chief Product Officer at Canopy, his career sits at the intersection of education, technology, and product innovation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why graduation is a key (and overlooked) growth moment
2. How Tassel simplifies complex commencement logistics
3. Where AI improves the student and admin experience
4. How graduation drives alumni engagement and giving
5. Why Tassel helps students earn money at graduation

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:57] Graduation as a growth and marketing moment
[00:05:22] Unifying registration, tickets, and stage flow
[00:09:17] A student earns $3,500 via digital announcements
[00:11:53] Saving thousands of admin hours with AI
[00:14:18] The “cap-and-gown cartel” and outdated business models
[00:16:56] Better graduation to stronger alumni ties
[00:19:29] Disrupting the cap-and-gown model

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.